First Fruits Beliefs

1
First Fruits Beliefs

• An attempt to reconcile different views that
  people argue about in Biblical Doctrine based on
  an in depth study of the Scriptures.
• Our goal should be to rightly divide the Word of
  Truth similar to the way of the 1800s Biblical
  writers.

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Try to do the following

• Keep an open mind, and be teachable!
• Read the scripture exactly without any prior
  conviction leading you.
• Remember that the Bible, being Gods Word, has no
  conflict in it. It is just that we do not yet
  fully understand the truth.

3
Remember!

• The Holy Bible is not a dinner buffet. We cannot
  reject any part of it based on our paradigms.
• As Christians we must strive to understand the
  Bible, including all of the things that appear to
  conflict with other.
• The harmony of the Bible is a fact, but
  perseverance in study is necessary for us to gain
  essential knowledge to resolve items that we
  think conflict with each other.

4
What is the Christians Mission?

• 2Ti 215 Study to shew thyself approved unto
  God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed,
  rightly dividing the word of truth.

5
The Christian Must Understand

• I Cor. 214 But the natural man receiveth not the
  things of the Spirit of God for they are
  foolishness unto him neither can he know them,
  because they are spiritually discerned.
• We should therefore know that the lost do not
  have access to the understanding of Gods Word.
• One reason why is as follows.

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So What is the Reason

• Ro 123 For I say, through the grace given unto
  me, to every man that is among you, not to think
  of himself more highly than he ought to think
  but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt
  to every man the measure of faith.
• Therefore, only believers have the measure of
  faith, ala, the gift of the spirit. I feel no
  unbeliever can understand Gods Word.

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Meat In Due Season

• Mt 2445 Who then is a faithful and wise
  servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his
  household, to give them meat in due season?
• Lu 1242 And the Lord said, Who then is that
  faithful and wise steward, whom his lord shall
  make ruler over his household, to give them their
  portion of meat in due season?

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Thought for Today

• Your relationship with Christ will never be any
  greater than your relationship with His Word!

Author Nancy Leigh DeMoss
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A Warning from God

• Hosea 46 My people are destroyed for lack of
  knowledge because thou hast rejected knowledge,
  I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no
  priest to me seeing thou hast forgotten the law
  of thy God, I will also forget thy children.
• A fact for the Jew, an application for the
  Christian.

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Items Considered

• Comparison of God, Man Satan.
• Concept of mans spirit, soul and body.
• Predestination.
• The three aspects of salvation.
• Calvinism versus Arminianism. Again, both points
  of view use Scripture to back them.

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The Image of GodA Holy Trinity
The Father The Son The Holy Ghost
Spirit of the Holy Trinity The Body of the Holy Trinity The Soul of the Holy Trinity
When you have seen me you have seen the Father
Spirit Body Soul
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Scriptures About God

• John 424 God is a Spirit, and they that worship
  him must worship him in spirit and in truth.
• I believe this is in reference to God the Father.

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Man, Created in the Image of God
Spirit Soul Body
Spirit Salvation. A free gift of God Soul Salvation. A works salvation We are promised a New Body
Once Saved, Always Saved. Backsliding is a reality. On Resurrection Day. No Conditions.
A work of The Holy Ghost. Works yield rewards. Saves your soul. A Flesh Bone body.
Justification. Sanctification. Glorification.
I have Been Saved. I am Being Saved. I Shall be Saved.
Escapes the Penalty of Sin. Escapes the Power of Sin. Escapes the presence of Sin.
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Scriptures about man

• Ge 126 And God said, Let us make man in our
  image, after our likeness and let them have
  dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the
  fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over
  all the earth, and over every creeping thing that
  creepeth upon the earth.
• Ge 127 So God created man in his own image, in
  the image of God created he him male and female
  created he them.

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Spirit versus Soul

• Ro 116 And if by grace, then is it no more of
  works otherwise grace is no more grace. But if
  it be of works, then is it no more grace
  otherwise work is no more work.
• 2Ti 19 Who hath saved us, and called us with an
  holy calling, not according to our works, but
  according to his own purpose and grace, which was
  given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,

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Satan, The Unholy or False Trinity
Satan 6 The Antichrist 6 False Prophet 6
The angel, Lucifer. One loved by the world. Empowered by Satan. One of the tares empowered by Satan.
Spirit Body, such as John F. Kennedy Soul, such as Pope John Paul II
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Do you believe that Jesus, The Son of God Was
and/or Will

• Born of a virgin. God the Son came to earth?
• Witnessed upon the earth for 42 months?
• Died for the sins of the called and chosen?
• Rose on the third day to return to heaven to
  prepare a place for the chosen and called?
• Will return again to claim his birthright, the
  earth, and destroy Satan and his angels?
• Will judge mankind and renew the earth to its
  former state before sin was introduced into the
  world.?

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About Predestination

• Eph. 14 According as he hath chosen us in him
  before the foundation of the world, that we
  should be holy and without blame before him in
  love
• 5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of
  children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to
  the good pleasure of his will,
• 6 To the praise of the glory of his grace,
  wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.

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Predestination

• A fact that cannot be ignored, if you study the
  Bible faithfully.
• John 176 I have manifested thy name unto the
  men which thou gavest me out of the world thine
  they were, and thou gavest them me and they have
  kept thy word.
• John 189 That the saying might be fulfilled,
  which he spake, Of them which thou gavest me have
  I lost none.
• There are at least 3 pages of scriptures speaking
  to this subject.

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Predestination

• Romans 828 And we know that all things work
  together for good to them that love God, to them
  who are the called according to his purpose.
• 29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did
  predestinate to be conformed to the image of his
  Son, that he might be the firstborn among many
  brethren.

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Predestination

• Romans 830 Moreover whom he did predestinate,
  them he also called and whom he called, them he
  also justified and whom he justified, them he
  also glorified.
• 31 What shall we then say to these things? If
  God be for us, who can be against us?
• What is missing from verse 30? Obviously
  sanctification. It is our job.

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Predestination

• Romans 832 He that spared not his own Son, but
  delivered him up for us all, how shall he not
  with him also freely give us all things?
• 33 Who shall lay any thing to the charge of
  Gods elect? It is God that justifieth.

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Facts of Spirit Soul Salvation

• Jesus death on the cross was a perfect work.
  Every one that the Father gave him will be saved
  by Gods Grace.
• Man, once his spirit is saved , is forever saved.
  Hence, Once saved, always saved.
• Man must kill his own soul and do works to save
  his soul. The reality of backsliding. Destroy our
  flesh nature.

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Spirit Salvation Scriptures

• Eph 28 For by grace are ye saved through faith
  and that not of yourselves it is the gift of
  God
• Eph 29 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
• What is the gift that God gives?

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Soul Salvation Scriptures

• Eph 210 For we are his workmanship, created in
  Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath
  before ordained that we should walk in them.
• How does verse 10 differ from verses 8 and 9?

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Soul Salvation Scriptures

• 1Thessalonians 523 And the very God of peace
  sanctify you wholly and I pray God your whole
  spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless
  unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
• Why do you suppose sanctifying and the
  completeness of spirit, soul and body is to be
  prayed for?

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Soul Salvation Scriptures

• Philippians 212 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye
  have always obeyed, not as in my presence only,
  but now much more in my absence, work out your
  own salvation with fear and trembling.
• Since this verse is written to the Philippian
  Church, why are they warned to work out their
  salvation with fear and trembling?
• Are they not saved by grace?
• What salvation is Paul speaking of?

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Soul Salvation Scriptures

• 1 Cor. 311 For other foundation can no man
  lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
• 12 Now if any man build upon this foundation
  gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay,
  stubble
• 13 Every mans work shall be made manifest for
  the day shall declare it, because it shall be
  revealed by fire and the fire shall try every
  mans work of what sort it is.

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Soul Salvation Scriptures

• Romans 116 And if by grace, then is it no more
  of works otherwise grace is no more grace. But
  if it be of works, then is it no more grace
  otherwise work is no more work.

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Matthew 251-13

• 1 Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened
  unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and
  went forth to meet the bridegroom.
• 2 And five of them were wise, and five were
  foolish.
• 3 They that were foolish took their lamps, and
  took no oil with them

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• 4 But the wise took oil in their vessels with
  their lamps.
• 5 While the bridegroom tarried, they all
  slumbered and slept.
• 6 And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold,
  the bridegroom cometh go ye out to meet him.
• 7 Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed
  their lamps.
• 8 And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us
  of your oil for our lamps are gone out.

32

• 9 But the wise answered, saying, Not so lest
  there be not enough for us and you but go ye
  rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.
• 10 And while they went to buy, the bridegroom
  came and they that were ready went in with him
  to the marriage and the door was shut.

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• 11 Afterward came also the other virgins,
  saying, Lord, Lord, open to us.
• 12 But he answered and said, Verily I say unto
  you, I know you not.
• 13 Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day
  nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.

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The Question Is!

• Are all ten virgins Christians? Yes or No

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• Matt. 251 Then shall the kingdom of heaven be
  likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps,
  and went forth to meet the bridegroom.
• Obviously, the answer is YES!

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The Next Question!

• How did the five wise virgins enter in to be with
  the bridegroom?

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Obviously, through an open door!This is the
narrow way!

• Matt. 2510 And while they went to buy, the
  bridegroom came and they that were ready went in
  with him to the marriage and the door was shut.

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Now lets look at another Scripture referring to
The Open Door.
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Revelation 37-13

• 7 And to the angel of the church in
  Philadelphia write These things saith he that is
  holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of
  David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth and
  shutteth, and no man openeth
• 8 I know thy works behold, I have set before
  thee an open door, and no man can shut it for
  thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my
  word, and hast not denied my name.

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• 9 Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of
  Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but
  do lie behold, I will make them to come and
  worship before thy feet, and to know that I have
  loved thee.
• 10 Because thou hast kept the word of my
  patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of
  temptation, which shall come upon all the world,
  to try them that dwell upon the earth.

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• Note in verse 8 that the Philadelphia church is
  promised an open door just as the five wise
  virgins entered through. Again, this is the
  narrow way!
• 8 I know thy works behold, I have set before
  thee an open door, and no man can shut it for
  thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my
  word, and hast not denied my name.

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• What else is the Philadelphia church promised
  that the other six churches are not promised?
• To be spared the hour of temptation coming upon
  the world. The 42 months of persecution under
  Antichrist.
• Revelation 310
• 10 Because thou hast kept the word of my
  patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of
  temptation, which shall come upon all the world,
  to try them that dwell upon the earth.

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Note John the Apostles entry into heaven in
Revelation 31-2

• 1 After this I looked, and, behold, a door was
  opened in heaven and the first voice which I
  heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with
  me which said, Come up hither, and I will shew
  thee things which must be hereafter.
• 2 And immediately I was in the spirit and,
  behold, a throne was set in heaven, and one sat
  on the throne.

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The Narrow Way Is

• The Open Door
• or
• Pauls Better Resurrection

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So what happens to the five foolish virgins?
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Lets look at scripture for the answer! II Timothy
28-13

• 8 Remember that Jesus Christ of the seed of
  David was raised from the dead according to my
  gospel
• 9 Wherein I suffer trouble, as an evil doer,
  even unto bonds but the word of God is not
  bound.
• 10 Therefore I endure all things for the
  elects sakes, that they may also obtain the
  salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal
  glory.

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• 11 It is a faithful saying For if we be dead
  with him, we shall also live with him
• 12 If we suffer, we shall also reign with him
  if we deny him, he also will deny us
• 13 If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful
  he cannot deny himself.

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The Ten Virgins

• 1 Peter 417 For the time is come that judgment
  must begin at the house of God and if it first
  begin at us, what shall the end be of them that
  obey not the gospel of God?
• I believe the separation of the five wise virgins
  from the five foolish virgins is the first end
  time judgment made by Christ.

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He denied, for 42 months, the 5 foolish virgins!

• At the end of the 42 months, he calls them up to
  meet him in the air above the earth.
• 1Th 417 Then we which are alive and remain
  shall be caught up together with them in the
  clouds, to meet the Lord in the air and so shall
  we ever be with the Lord.
• This is the broad path to heaven!

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Another entry into heaven is described in
Revelation!

• Rev 79 After this I beheld, and, lo, a great
  multitude, which no man could number, of all
  nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues,
  stood before the throne, and before the Lamb,
  clothed with white robes, and palms in their
  hands
• Rev 710 And cried with a loud voice, saying,
  Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the
  throne, and unto the Lamb.

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Heaven Entry (cont.)

• Rev 711 And all the angels stood round about
  the throne, and about the elders and the four
  beasts, and fell before the throne on their
  faces, and worshipped God,
• Rev 712 Saying, Amen Blessing, and glory, and
  wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power,
  and might, be unto our God for ever and ever.
  Amen.

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Heaven Entry (cont.)

• Rev 713 And one of the elders answered,
  saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed
  in white robes? and whence came they?
• Rev 714 And I said unto him, Sir, thou
  knowest. And he said to me, These are they which
  came out of great tribulation, and have washed
  their robes, and made them white in the blood of
  the Lamb.

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Heaven Entry (cont.)

• Rev 715 Therefore are they before the throne
  of God, and serve him day and night in his
  temple and he that sitteth on the throne shall
  dwell among them.
• Rev 716 They shall hunger no more, neither
  thirst any more neither shall the sun light on
  them, nor any heat.

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Heaven Entry (cont.)

• Rev 717 For the Lamb which is in the midst of
  the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them
  unto living fountains of waters and God shall
  wipe away all tears from their eyes.
• Again, the broad path to heaven. Being called up
  into the Air.

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Daniels Seventieth Week

• Starts after the obliteration of Damascus, Syria
  and Antichrist is revealed. Isaiah 17. A picture
  of the 7 year tribulation. Revelation Also.
• Rapture of the Firstfruits (Bride of Christ), a
  spring event. Pentecost or thereabouts.
• Antichrist rules the earth for 42 months
  unchecked by the Holy Spirit.
• Main Harvest Rapture (Body of Church), a fall
  event. Rosh Hashanah. Trumpets.
• The last half is known as the time of Jacobs
  trouble.

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Scriptures for Firstfruits Rapture

• Song of Solomon 28-13 610-13
• II Thessalonians 25
• Revelation 217
• II Timothy 211-13

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The Five Points of Calvinism

• 1. Total Depravity.
• 2. Unconditional Election.
• 3. Limited Atonement
• 4. Irresistible Grace
• 5. Perseverance of the Saints.
• Applies to the salvation of mans spirit.

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The Five Points of Arminianism

• 1. Free Will.
• 2. Conditional Election.
• 3. Universal Atonement.
• 4. Obstructable Grace.
• 5. Falling From Grace.
• Applies to the salvation of mans soul.

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1st Point of Calvin Arminius
Calvinism Arminianism
I. Total Depravity.. As a result of the fall, mans depravity is complete and total. He does not have the free will to choose God because he is dead (spiritually), blind, deaf and unteachable in the things of God I. Free Will. After man is spiritually regenerated by the Holy Spirit, his will is released from bondage. He is now able to repent of his sins of his own free will and follow Christ. Repentance is a work of man and always occurs after spiritual regeneration or spiritual rebirth. The Holy Spirit regenerates man spiritually and immediately commands him to Repent and be Baptized.
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2nd Point of Calvin Arminius
Calvinism Arminianism
II. Unconditional Election. Election is entirely dependent upon the free will of God and his purpose for those he chose to spiritually regenerate. Gods work of regeneration must precede faith and repentance. Faith is automatic as the response to spiritual regeneration, but repentance is a work of man based upon his free will choice. Regeneration and faith result in spirit salvation, which is the covenant of grace. Repentance and baptism result in soul salvation, which is the covenant of works. II. Conditional Election. The salvation of the soul, which pertains to rewards only, is conditional upon mans repentance and baptism. The believer in Christ must choose to repent of his sins, die to self (i.e., lose his soul) and be obedient to Christ and his Word. Soul salvation is dependent upon the free will choice of the believer to follow Christ as a disciple
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3rd Point of Calvin Arminius
Calvinism Arminianism
III. Limited Atonement. Atonement is for the elect of God only. Christ died only for those whom the Father gave him. Jesus work was a perfect work. III. Universal Atonement. Soul salvation is universal in that it applies to all the elect, but since soul salvation is conditional, it can be lost at the Judgment Seal of Christ. Spirit salvation is also universal for all Christians and is unconditional in that it cannot be lost by the actions or behavior of the Christian.
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4th Point of Calvin Arminius
Calvinism Arminianism
IV. Irresistible Grace. Since God has unconditionally elected those whom He has chosen for Christ, all those who are born again spiritually will find Christ irresistible. They will believe in Christ and receive him as their propitiation because God the Holy Spirit has given them the faith to believe this. IV. Obstructable Grace. Spirit salvation causes a believer to be irresistibly drawn to Christ. After Spirit salvation, all Christians are commanded to repent and be baptized in order to realize soul salvation. The regenerated believer cannot resist the work of the Holy Spirit on his new spirit nature, but he can obstruct or resist the divine influence upon the heart of the regenerated believer. The heart is part of the soul and refers to the inward being or self. A person can have a regenerated spirit, and still not have the mind or heart of a faithful believer.
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5th Point of Calvin Arminius
Calvinism Arminianism
V. Perseverance of the Saints. Since spirit salvation is dependent upon the election of God and in no way dependent upon mans faithfulness, the Christian will certainly persevere in spirit salvation. Since the Christian did nothing to earn his salvation, he can also do nothing to lose it. V. Falling from Grace. A Christian who has decided to follow Christ can fall away from the faith and end up losing his soul. His life becomes wasted and he loses his position of reigning and ruling with Christ in his coming kingdom. He is still saved spiritually and he still goes to heaven.
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Comments on Both
The above five points of Calvinism apply to the spirit of man The above five points of Arminianism apply to the soul of man.
Grace, Faith and the Regenerated Spirit that was dead in sin are a free gift of God. This is a works salvation, separate from Gods free gift. It requires man to save his soul or lose it.
As man goes through life after having his spirit quickened, it is safe to say that my spirit has been saved forever. As man goes through life after having his spirit quickened, he must work to save his soul. So as we walk through life we should constantly be working to save our soul. Christ will try it by fire and clean it up at the Judgment Seat of Christ.
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Final Comments

• The concepts here are all from earlier
  Christians study of the Holy Scriptures.
• They have been rearranged to get the best fit
  possible with the knowledge that I possess.
• Scriptural references and comments to improve my
  understanding of Scripture would be welcomed.

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Final Comments (continued)

• Remember, it is necessary for us to divide THE
  WORD into a fully understood Revelation from GOD.
• It All must fit.
• There is no conflict in Scripture, just in our
  understanding of the Scripture.
• FFruits Home page http//www.ffruits.org/firstfru
  its/mainmenu.aspx